For Sale: 1957 Nash Ambassador in Saint Louis, Missouri

The 1950s proved to be a challenging period for America's independent automakers. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler Corporation were locked in a sales war, leaving the likes of Nash, Hudson, Kaiser and Studebaker to fight for the scraps. The only way to survive against the might of the Big Three was to unite, and in 1954, Hudson and Nash did just that, forming American Motors Corporation, headquartered in Detroit.
Then president of Nash, George C. Mason, had looked for ways to help Nash stand apart from the competition. His appreciation for European design, especially the sophisticated and understated work of Pinin Farina, saw him turn to the Torinese firm for help, first with the Nash-Healey sports car. Mason felt Panelcraft's initial design was not distinctive enough, so he enlisted the Italians to redesign it with a more Nash-like appearance, kicking off a brief but fruitful relationship. In 1952, Pinin Farina partially restyled the Statesman line, bringing elements of the Nash Healey Le Mans roadster to its production sedan line. Pinin Farina design continued to influence the Nash range through the final year of production, with the flagship Ambassador being the last Nash to wear 'PF' badge on its flanks in 1957.
Representing the top of the Nash range in 1957 is this stunning, meticulously restored 2-door Ambassador Series 80 Custom "Country Club" Hardtop. Nash had lots to tout in 1957, including advanced unibody construction, handsome new front-end styling by Pinin Farina with four vertically stacked headlights, longer and lower lines, and AMC's powerful new 327 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 engine. Nash pitched the Ambassador as the superlative cross-country car, as this car demonstrates with features including the "Airliner Recliner" seats that fold flat into travel beds, "Weather Eye" ventilation system, radio, an optional continental spare wheel, and the requisite power brakes and steering. But just as they seemed to reach their peak, the Nash and Hudson names were relegated to the history books, as AMC adopted Rambler as their primary brand.
In total, just 3,561 Ambassadors rolled out in 1957, and it is reported that just 997 were Country Club models like this. This incredible example was acquired by a West Coast-based collector in the mid-2000s. Reportedly a solid, original car with virtually no corrosion, it was immediately handed to Fred's Custom Wiring & Auto Works in Ontario, California, for a full restoration. The big Nash was carefully disassembled, catalogued, and mounted on a rotisserie prior to the body being media blasted (using soda to prevent warping the original panels). The engine and Flashaway Hydramatic transmission were removed and set aside for rebuilding.
Midway through the project, the owner was forced to sell, but thankfully, a longtime Nash enthusiast was in the market and stumbled across the listing - reaching an agreement within a couple of days. The car remained in the care of Fred's, and the project was seen through to completion.
The results of the restoration are nothing short of extraordinary. Finished to a standard rarely - if ever - seen on a Nash of this era, this remarkable Ambassador is restored to concours quality standards. Originally finished in Plum, the new owner selected a suitably flashy factory-offered shade of Mardi Gras Red with Frost White accents. All of the exterior chrome and brightwork was restored and refitted with careful attention paid to precise alignment.
Inside, the same meticulous attention was paid to restoring the upholstery. The Airline Recliner seats are upholstered in period correct red vinyl with black fabric inserts sourced from SMS Auto Fabrics. A new-old-stock dash pad was also sourced to cap off the beautifully restored instrument panel, also a Pinin Farina design feature.
Of course, the drivetrain was fully restored as well. AMC's 327 V8 was torn down and found to be in excellent condition, requiring only a slight overbore. The crankshaft was balanced and polished, and heads refreshed with new guides. Similarly, the transmission was also rebuilt and the chassis components restored to a high standard with period correct chassis black paint. It rides on red-painted steel wheels shod with correct original wheel covers and period-correct wide-whitewall bias-ply tires for the proper stance and handling.
With the restoration complete, the Nash was enjoyed as intended, being driven about 100 miles per month with careful maintenance of the exceptional restoration. It was shown just once at the 2009 Glenmoor Gathering, taking home a much-deserved Best in Class award. It remains a truly superlative example of the marque - one of the finest we've encountered - suitable for prestigious concours events or touring. It is a fabulous celebration of the oft-forgotten transatlantic partnership between Nash and Pinin Farina, and of the creativity that emerged from America's independents during this fruitful period of automotive design.

Offers welcome and trades considered.